Peek Inside the Restricted Areas of the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier
- Posted on April 17, 2012 at 6:20pm by
Buck Sexton
- Print »
- Email »
The USS Intrepid is one of the most famous naval museums in the world. It currently sits in the Hudson River, moored to the west side of Manhattan in New York City.
But at one time, the Intrepid was among the most advanced and powerful military platforms on earth. While the general public sees fully restored areas of the ship that are constantly maintained to be camera-ready, there are denied access areas of the ships that give provide glimpses of life on board this mega-vessel forty years ago.
Eloise Lee and Robert Johnson over at Business Insider took these photos of the restricted areas of the USS Intrepid.
First some background: The USS Intrepid (also known as the CV-11) is an Essex-Class Carrier. Officially, the ship is part of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, which houses a variety of educational installations and is home to many events to celebrate military history.
As for the the Intrepid itself, the museum writes that the ship is:
“One of the most successful ships in US history… In 1943, Intrepid was commissioned and served proudly in World War II. She went on to serve as one of the primary recovery vessels for NASA, three tours of duty off Vietnam, and submarine surveillance in the North Atlantic during the Cold War.”
With that background information covered, we want to show you what the tours and student groups don’t get to see. These photos, from the team at Business Insider, show the decayed, rusting, inner areas of the Intrepid.
Take a look behind the door that says “Danger” all over it:
Immediately, the photos act as a kind of time warp back to 1974 when the ship was decommissioned. As the BI writers described their behind-the-scenes tour:
“Inside we found an old sock, 1970s matchbook covers, a very fly plastic comb, and [a] section of the Philadelphia Inquirer — Dated May 1974…there were enough old personal items around to make us feel like the crew had just left.”
These are the areas of the ship that tourists and military buffs from around the world almost never get to see.
Almost forty years of neglect created a sort of time capsule feel for Lee and Johnson as they maneuvered around the nooks and crannies of the ship.
Patio was a diet soda brand, part of the Pepsi company, introduced in 1963. It’s main competitor at the time was “Diet Rite” soda. Never heard of either? Well, it was quite a few years back.
That’s a hatchway that allowed sailors to move from level to level. Clearly, this could prove challenging for some of the tour groups, hence it is far away from the normal visitor routes.
Check out the old wall-mounted phone (above). At one time, this ship carried some of the most modern communications devices in the world.
Just looking at this engine room might cause some to feel a little claustrophobic.
Those high explosive shells would have seen use decades ago.
This command center has stood up well to the test of time.
Business Insider has many more photos from their tour, including a slew of slice-of-life photos from onboard ship in the 1970′s.
Want to see them? Business Insider has the full photo array available here.
Popular Stories
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 575 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 404 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 402 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 372 Comments
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 340 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 402 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 404 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
- President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 340 Comments
- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 150 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 402 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (53)
SageInWaiting
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:27pmHmmmm. STILL munitions aboard? I‘d have thought that that would be one ting they’d clear before decommissioning.
Report Post »BlackAce41
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 11:39amI remember volunteering on that ship and we went all the down in to engine room where we found a pocket watch. and more Sailors who never really left..
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 12:09pmI was wondering however how you feel about the U.S. GOvernment now refering to the U.S.A. navy as a global force and not a U.S. FORCE.
As if we were the world’s navy
Is this a big sign to get our a55e5 out of league of nations and NATO as well.
maynardb61
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:47pmthanks to Obama we have as few ships as we did in 1918!
Report Post »jwoop66
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:54pmIt’s about time I heard someone else express concern about this!!! For a while now, tv commercials are calling them Americas Navy. WTF?! I’ve posted my concern/dismay- no one ever responds. At least there is one other person out there wondering why this is.
Report Post »jwoop66
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:59pmSecond try…
Thanks for someone else finally realizing they are no longer “the US Navy” It is now evidently “Americas Navy” WTF??!! No one else seems perplexed or bothered by this….. I’ve posted my dismay on other sites and nobody responds!?!?
Report Post »Krutch
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 11:38amI can hear it now.
“Now reveille reveille,Turn to, all hands on deck!”
“Now sweepers, sweepers, man your brooms!” Sweep down all overheads, ladders and passageways.“ ”Empty all trash cans in the containers provided for on the piers.“ ”Now sweepers.”
“Men aloft, do not rotate or radiate any electronical equipment.”
“Now hear this, The smoking lamp is out”
Some of those sayings stay with ya forever.
Report Post »Glad I served, but hate to what is going on today. I don’t know how we fair with all the lib crap forced on the Navy today.
azitdad
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 12:30pmI know what you mean, brother.
“There are divers working over the side. Do not rotate screws, cycle rudders, take suction from or discharge to the sea, open or close any valves, while divers are working over the side”
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:18pmGeneral quarters general quarters all hands man your battle stations…starboard side up and forward port side down and aft.
Report Post »jrcess
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 11:33amMy father-in-law flew in the 8th air force and was the first B-17 after the Memphis belle to complete all of it’s missions. I always was in awl being in his presents. On one mission they sent out 31 bombers and only one returned.
Obama is not worthy of or could he ever be worthy of even shining the man’s shoes.
Report Post »OldVietVet
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 9:52amRD-3 Meeks–USS Wainwright (DLG-28). I was there–1967-71, when the “Big I” was a mainstay on Yankee Station! Outstanding! My ship was PIRAZ with the Stark during most of this time–30 miles SSW of Haiphong harbor–proud thhave served with you!!
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 11:29amThanks for your service,
Report Post »I was wondering however how you feel about the U.S. GOvernment now refering to the U.S.A. navy as a global force and not a U.S. FORCE.
As if we were the world’s navy.
Krutch
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 11:54am@ Jonjamison
Report Post »This is to get us used to being a one world government. All of our branchs’ are being groomed to become part of this new dictatorship. First ya replace the top leaders with sissy types that couldn’t plan a fart party. Then ya make everyone to be nice to the enemy. And to prove your changes, ya prosecute your own people for any trumped up charge ya can find or invent. Oh, and you make sure ******* get preferential treatment and promotions. And what ever else you can find to ruin morale.
Then you re-elect the worse CIC ever to give the coup de grace to the country!
fobama
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 9:37amI just wanna thank each one of you who served, an the storys I am reading on here is great, I served onloy as a vol. but thank you guys for your service, an please keep the stories coming!!!
Report Post »JackSprat
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 9:36amUSS Hancock (CVA 14) on a WestPac. It was hard work on the flight and hanger decks, the ship had a history of achievements and I was proud to have served.
Report Post »JackSprat
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 9:41am(CVA 19), Oldtimers disease has struck!
Report Post »45-ACP
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 8:25amI served aboard the USS Ticonderoga CVA 14 for 3 tours Viet Nam at Yankee Station in the North China sea. Early 1965 to late 1968 as port catapult deck edge operator. There is no greater feeling in the world than to stand on the moving deck of a United States Navy attack aircraft carrier during flight opps.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 6:41amOkay, have mentioned probably far too many times that I am retired Army. But back in March, 1979 my unit from Bragg went through Basic Amphibious Training at Little Creek and finished the course from the USS Ft Snelling. Quite a course, but I respect the Marines and Navy personnel who put us through the training. A mere few years later while stationed in Hohenfels, Germany I discovered that the Ft Snelling was supporting the Carrier JFK when a couple of it‘s aircraft shot down two of Ghadafi’s Libyan fighters when Reagan was shaking his big stick. Upon my return stateside to Ft Drum, NY I was visiting friends at Ft Devons, MA for Boston’s Tall Ship Day in May, 1984. We were standing on Germany’s Gorch Foch, their cadet training sailing vessel and I photographed a carrier in the distance. By the end of the day we discovered it was the JFK as it returned from the previously mentioned mission. The author of Super Carrier was aboard, and it was that cruise he wrote about. Only later while back in NY did I get a shiver down my spine when I picked up my photographs and flipped through them. I had distantly touched history. I salute all of those Sailors and Marines who served with that carrier task force. They lived through it, while I only read about in the book and the Stars & Stripes.
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 4:43amI was an ABE on the Constellation in the mid eighties. Iv’e been on these small Carriers…life was tougher then.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 6:12amGRANNYRECIPE, One of the two uncles I mentioned in a post below was on an escort carrier during WWII. I can only remember one conversation with him about the war, and I had already been in the Army for 14 years. Now retired for 15 though. He had two tin cans shot out from under him and another uncle, his brother in law some how pulled some strings and got him on that escort carrier. He had some wild tales about those small carriers too. Wish he were still with us. From what he shared with us, I certainly respect you for your service on those small ones.
Report Post »Hmveteran
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 2:19amAmerica – Back to Back World War Champs!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 4:07amAnd not a win since those back to back championships…. By choice
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 6:44amDETROIT PAPERBOY, Spoken like a true member of the Fifth Column as I get the feeling that you are.
Report Post »Mr. H.
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 12:37amI flew for the navy in 1967. I was aboard the Intrepid and flew off that deck. 45 years sure went by fast.
Report Post »db321
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:31amMr. H. Thank you fo your service!
Report Post »lketchum
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:52amThank you, Sir! We deeply appreciate your service!
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 6:05amMR. H. I am retired Army, but had two uncles who served on as one put it, Bird Cages during WWII and another on subs in the Pacific. In fact, he was on the sub at the Bikini Atoll nuke test. You sir, I salute for your service.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 11:52pmBrings back some real memories. I was transported all over the Orient by some fine Naval ships and excellent sailors back in the day. Some of the ones I can still remember are the USS New Orleans, USS Cayuga, USS Cleveland, and the USS Iwo Jima. How many of you can remember becoming a shellback? Fond times to say the least, but this jarhead still liked being on land.
Report Post »db321
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:38amCemoto78 – excellent sailors back in the day.
Yes Sir – America sent it very best in WWI and WWII. Now that you mentioned it – America always sends is very best each and every time – Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Iraq 1 & 2, Afghanistan, and I’m sure I missed a few.
Thank you all for your service – now we need everyone one of our older veterans do one more thing for us – please vote Obama out in 2012 – so we can keep on enjoying the freedom your fellow solders died for!
Report Post »retiredpo1
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 11:16pmWhen I was first aboard USS Independence CV-62, we had many shipmates for our Med Cruise that began in July of 1974 who had served in USS Intrepid CVS-11. Those men were proud of that ship and rightly so. She did the crossing from Quonset Point, Rhode Island to Rota Spain in four and one half days on her last deployment to the Med.
Report Post »I am proud to say I had those men as my shipmates.
jacques.daspy
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 11:06pmI visited a friend aboard in 1962, she was old and small by that time but she still had years of work ahead of her. I was never happier to get back to my side (the NAS) and Naval Aviation without tailhooks.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 9:55pmEssex class . Served on one similar to her.
Report Post »DBDvl
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 8:38pmWasn’t the Intrepid just refurbished a few years ago ? If so, the taxpayers should get a refund if this is the job they did and it is falling apart this fast ?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 6:25amHell, I am retired Army and I know that the Intrepid has been a museum ship for years. Must be thinking of another carrier.
Report Post »lewbrown
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 8:11pmMy memories of the USS Intrepid was during the last of the Vietnam War. I was in the Photo Lab and we process and printed the film taken by our Aircraft during bombing Runs. My Enlistment was coming to an end and was flown off by COD. Lucky me when we reached California the Airline Industry was on strike and there was no flight back to the East Coast. Ended up on a bus across country to Patuxent River. Md. Some of the greatest men I have ever met on the old “Fighting I”. She survived Bombs, Hurricanes, and even an at sea refueling accident when a tanker lost steering and raked the Island side of the ship. She even picked up a returning space capsule and her Astronauts. When you talk about History The USS Intrepid(CVS-11) will be in the thick of things.
Report Post »I Aint PC
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 8:11pmLast month we got to camp on the Intrepid’s sister ship, the Yorktown (CV10). Yorktown is in Charleston, SC. She is in need of repair. When camping with scout groups, you can get into areas not available to the normal tours. It was a very eye-opening expirence by getting to see how sailors had to live on these ships. Many narrow passages, open mesh floors, steep stairwells, among other things that make living on one of these ships a courageous ordeal. It gave me a new respect for our military, both past and present.
THANK YOU ALL SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN!
Report Post »jeckelmyhyde
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 8:09pmWow, the smell of ocean air and fuel come rushing back.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 7:12pmAnyone on board in it‘s ’time’ would have had to become fearless.
Thank Blaze for sharing .
>Thank you to all who served….
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 6:50pmI go to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum at least once a month, very cool. To me,..its not quite the U.S.S. Peleliu, a ship near and dear to the 15th MEU…but she is a great piece of history and a cool place to check out…all who come to NYC should see her…nevermind the liberal riff raff…ignore them like the cracks in the sidewalks. Everyone should come and see and hear her story…great ship.
Report Post »Buckeye4ABO
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 8:01pmI served aboard the U.S.S. Alamo (LSD-33) which used to steam with the Peleliu. PhibRon 7 !!!
Report Post »marine249
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 10:09pmBUcKEYE
I was on the TOM GREEN COUNTY.
Now thats going back sometime.
Report Post »TheSitRep
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 10:10amI was on the Peleliu, Durham, New Orleans, Vancouver and Ft Fischer.
Report Post »Elijah123
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 6:46pmIn the old spirit of “waste not, want not” visiting the U.S. ships in graveyards and decommissioned around the country, one has to wonder why money was’nt poured into renovation and use for longevity? During our prosperity, the whole nation became used to just throwing things away and buying new, even though much was made better and before computers capable of repair. Even that old telephone or intercom, would probably be better if we are ever attacked in cyberspace by enemies. During Katrina when cell towers were taken down, it was some of the old land line pay phones that still worked. Bet Russia has old ships than this still running, God Bless Her and the men that served aboard her.
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 7:41pmTHink of a ship as an old car. Sooner or later parts are scarce, technology is outdated to keep up with the “competition,” and it just becomes a money pit. It just makes sense to go new. But I understand where you come from.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 8:14pmUh, Russia has plenty of old ships, look up pictures of their shipyards with hundreds of old subs, ships rusted to sinking, listing and decaying. The same thing goes for a lot of their missles, they just left them in the silos to rust away, and just shut the door. The soviets never wanted to spend money when something became useless, they just abandoned it. I have friends that went on nuclear inspections during treaties and after the fall of the USSR. They mostly kept up a facade, most of their equipment did not work.
If you want to compare it to the US, we sold our ships to other countries or scrapped them (recycled).
The old destroyer my dad served on during Korea is still in service….in Argentina.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 6:44pmGreat stuff. The USS Intrepid was one of the first real aircraft carriers. Most before that were converted into flattops with the addition of a flight deck. A few years back the USS Edson DD946 was also at this maritime museum site. I served on her for 3 years ‘73-’76.
Report Post »ShyLow
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 6:33pmI‘m guessing this Intrepid wasn’t made by Dodge
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 6:40pmOr GM
Report Post »USAMEDIC3008
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 12:44amBuilt by Newport News Shipbuilding,Newport News Va.
Report Post »Keel Laid 01 Dec 1940
Launched 26 Ap.1943
Commissioned 16 Aug 1943
Decom…..14 Mar 1974
db321
Posted on April 18, 2012 at 1:45amYou go Medic – with all that valuable info!
Thank your to each and everyone of you Great American Patriots for your service and sacrifice to this great Nation!
America owes a huge debt of appreciation that we will never be able to repay!
I really enjoyed reading everyone comments – I could listen to them for hours!
Report Post »